Our current testbikes, their report form Finale Ligure

In the week that we are testing some Polygon and Rocky Mountain enduro bikes we get the race reports from both teams from Finale Ligure Enduro Race. Enjoy!

POLYGON: This week end was the final round of the EWS 2014 season and what a final. Once again a super physical round, no lift, just pedaling. Almost 90km of riding, 2 days and 6 stages. The weather has been amazing on all 4 days (2 days of practice et 2 days of racing) and the stages were absolutely amazing, fun loamy/flowly trails to super rough and rocky downhill tracks, it's been a mix of everything.

It was Guillaume's second EWS this season and he really wanted to finish this one, he had a rough day on day 1, almost missing his start at stage 3 and 4, didn't even have time to put his googles and gloves on, but managed to get through the day. On sunday he was ready to battle with the 20km of climbing to start with, a few hours later he was back at the pits with a smile on his face, he's done it but finished 173th position.

Aurelien's week end hasn't been ideal but still fairly consistent in the top 20 if it wasn't for a one mechanical and a big crash on the last day of the week end, that send him back to 31st.

After his season high at Trans-Savoie last week, Jamie was still feeling a bit tired, heavy legs and general fatigue. He still managed to pull a good results through the week end. He had a big stack on stage 2 saturday, big OTB. Luckily he was all good to finish 24th.

For it's first year racing the Enduro World Series the Polygon UR Team has ranked 7th team overall.

The best team rider is Aurélien Giordanengo with a great year of racing for his first time racing Enduro specific races. He ranks 17th overall with a best result with 13th in Whistler.

Close on his heels is Jamie Nicoll, ranked 18th overall who despite having a tough start to the year, pulled back some points with for example a great 20th rank in France.

Fabien Cousinié, was unfortunately not able to attend the final race in Finale and defend a top 20 overall position due to team owner duties, but had a great year too. He finishes 25th overall of the year with a best 14th place in France and 5th place best results on a stage.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN: Can you believe it, Finale Ligure was the last Enduro World Series of the 2014 season. Time flies fast. After 7 rounds very different from one another, after traveling from South America to Europe and North America, we were back on the old continent for the ultimate one, and not the least. Finale Ligure is a typical Italian town located on the coast with its white sands beaches and its steep mountains as a backyard. It was the best place to host this race before the off-season.

The practicing went well, as shuttling is allowed in Italia. You can train and still find some time to enjoy a little bit of the Italian lifestyle: drinking coffee and refreshing the legs in the sea. But don’t get fooled, we had a hard time battling to the finish line…

Saturday:

4 stages, 50km and more than 4 hours spent on the bike. The stages were various and offering each kinds of terrains and profiles. The first one was one of the most technical one of the year with tight corners, a kind of “trial downhill”. Flo, Alex and I all signed our best result on this one, 2nd, 5th and 4th. The stages 2 and 3 were a little bit more pedaling and the last one was a massive downhill on a very rocky terrain and completely loose! Jesse wasn't feeling comfortable all day on this kind of trails but our other North-American guy, Peter proved he can adapt as he finished every stages in the top 30. After this big day, we were all exhausted but ready to battle the next day to keep our rankings. Flo was 5th, Alex 14th, Jesse 25th and I was 5th.

Sunday:

Morning, beautiful morning! Why not starting by 20 km, 1000 meters ascent and 2 hours transfer? That’s what we’ve done! Already being at the top of the stage 5 was an accomplishment. But knowing the stages that were awaiting us, it was only a warm up. The stages 5 and 6 were pedaling and very physical. But when you’ve got in mind that these were the two last stages of the season, we have to give your best and fight to the finish line!

Florian concluded this weekend ranking 6th and therefore ranks 5th overall of the EWS after an incredible season! A podium in Chile, the French title and a regional title, he is everywhere! Alexandre finished 11th and also 11th overall… So close to the top 10! We now all know what he will be looking for next year and this perfectionist, studying as an engineer when he is not on the bike, will provide the means. Our Canadian, Jesse, was a bit disappointed of his result this weekend but still finished 24th overall. He proved he can battle with the best ones and he will be one to watch next year after getting the benefits and experience of this year. Peter and Antonin had a great weekend too and were both happy with their results 33rd and 62nd. Finally, I couldn't maintain my place and ranked 7th of this weekend. But being back on my bike racing an EWS two months after my crash in Whistler and crossing the finish line still in the top 10 is one of the best satisfaction I had this year.

What matter the most this weekend is our team result. The Rocky Mountain Urge bp Rally team ranks second overall of the Enduro World Series! We are all in our twenties and most of us are still studying or working, but if you want something you’ve got to fight for it. We supported each other all the season, shared great moments, had incredible mechanics and a positive energy among the team that has just showed up in the result.